MOTION TACKLER
A motion tackler for simulating an opponent during tackle training. The motion tackler has an elongated frame with a first side and a second side. A dummy module is attached to the first side of the elongated frame. A handle frame is attached to the second side of the elongated frame. A plurality of wheels are attached to the elongated frame. The motion tackler further has a resistance bar capable of engaging with the ground upon the dummy module being lifted.
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The present invention claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/263,504 filed Nov. 23, 2009.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention is related to an improved tackling sled and an improved method of teaching the art of tackling. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a tackling sled which can effectively mimic the motion of an opposing player, either being tackled or a blocker, to closer resemble game situations.
The art of tackling is a critical element to the sport of football. Practicing tackling can be broadly described as being within one of two categories, live drills and through the use of tackling sleds. Tackling sleds are highly advantageous for teaching tackling technique yet it is virtually impossible to mimic live action with a tackling sled. Examples of tackling sleds are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,581; U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,585 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,965 each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Tackling sleds are described as such due to the historical use of skis wherein the player pushes the tackling sled along the ground on the skis. There are a variety of designs, not all of which include skis, including sleds for single tacklers, multiple tacklers, sleds which allow a coach to ride on the sled for instruction purposes and the like. A common problem with tackling sleds is the rigid nature of the motion. Unlike an actual opponent a tackling sled is typically static and provides no ability to mimic an opponent moving prior to contact and, particularly, there is no ability to mimic an opponent moving in response to the oncoming tackler.
Other systems include suspended bags and the like but the motion of these after contact is inadequate to mimic an opponent and often leads to poor technique due to the tackler learning to respond to the unnatural motion of the suspended device.
Live drills, with an opponent, do allow the tackler to practice under “game-like” conditions but this can be dangerous since the purpose of the drill is to teach, and practice, proper technique to avoid injury. If the technique is improper an injury is more likely to occur.
There has been an ongoing desire in the art for a tackling sled which allows the coach to more accurately mimic game situations yet which is controlled to minimize injury to the tackler or an opponent.
SUMMARYIt is an object of the invention to provide a motion tackler wherein the motion tackler can be mobilized to mimic an opponent during a tackling drill.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of teaching the art of tackling while minimizing the risk of injury.
A particular feature of the invention is the simplicity of design.
These and other advantages, as will be realized, are provided in a motion tackler. The motion tackler has an elongated frame with a first side and a second side. A dummy module is attached to the first side of the elongated frame. A handle frame is attached to the second side of the elongated frame. A plurality of wheels are attached to the elongated frame. The motion tackler further has a resistance bar capable of engaging with the ground upon the dummy module being lifted.
Yet another embodiment is provided in a method for teaching tackling. The method includes: providing a motion tackler comprising: an elongated frame with a first side and a second side; a dummy module attached to the first side of the elongated frame; a handle frame attached to the second side of the elongated frame; a plurality of wheels attached to the elongated frame; and a resistance bar capable of engaging with ground upon the dummy module being lifted. A trainer grasp the handle frame of the motion tracker and moves the motion tracker along a path. The motion tackler is released by the trainer and engaged by a tackler who grasp the dummy module causing the resistance bar to contact the ground thereby providing resistance against movement of the motion tackler away from the tackler.
Described herein is a motion tackler, and method of teaching tackling, wherein the motion tackler can be mobilized to mimic a moving opponent. In particular, the motion tackler can be moved to mimic movement with opposing velocity, parallel velocity, varying velocity or combinations thereof at the discretion of the trainer.
The invention will be described with reference to the various figures which are provided for the purposes of describing the invention but which are not limiting. Throughout the various figures similar elements will be numbered accordingly.
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
A side view of the motion tackler is provided in
With further reference to
An embodiment of the motion tackler is provided in top view in
A particular feature of the invention will be described with further reference to FIGS. 1 and 4-7. As the tackler, 2, contacts the motion tackler, 1, the forward wheels are elevated thereby decreasing the sideways stability provided by the wider forward wheels. This allows the tackler to rotate the motion tackler from side-to-side as indicated by arrow A. In use the tackler engages the motion tackler by contact with the dummy module thereby elevating the dummy module such that the motion tackler is in contact with the ground at the resistance bar and possibly the rearward wheels. The tackler can then twist the motion tackler to his right or left to tilt the motion tackler completely to its side with the axle at a large angle, such as 90° with the ground thereby simulating contacting an opposing player and going through a complete tackle.
As illustrated in
The motion tackler allows for a device wherein the trainer can roll the motion tackler at a player. The motion tackler is then contacted by the player and tackled to the ground. The trainer may release the motion tackler prior to contact or at the point of contact. In another embodiment, the trainer may maintain control of the motion tackler after contact to further simulate resistance to tackling. The motion tackler bridges the gap between static tackling and live game speed tackling. The speed and direction of the motion tackler can be determined by a trainer thereby allowing for more specific training in proper technique under controlled conditions. There is virtually no limit to the direction or force which can be applied since there is no tether, cable or other limiting device.
The motion tackler is particularly useful for standard drills. The motion tackler can be pushed from 5, 10 or 15 yards away, for example, to simulate straight, angle and sideline tackling. The motion tackler can be used to simulate a linebacker, a defensive end, an outside linebacker, and various plays can be simulated such as an option, veer or I-option. Furthermore, the motion tackler can be used for conditioning wherein the tackler simply pushes the motion tackler to strengthen various muscles typically used during a tackle.
The invention has been described with specific reference to the preferred embodiments without limitation thereto. One of skill in the art could arrive at various improvements and alterations without departure from the scope of the invention which is more specifically set forth in the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A motion tackler comprising:
- an elongated frame with a first side and a second side;
- a dummy module attached to said first side of said elongated frame;
- a handle frame attached to said second side of said elongated frame;
- a plurality of wheels attached to said elongated frame; and
- a resistance bar capable of engaging with ground upon said dummy module being lifted.
2. The motion tackler of claim 1 comprising forward wheels and rearward wheels.
3. The motion tackler of claim 2 wherein said forward wheels are separated by a distance which is larger than a separation of said rearward wheels.
4. The motion tackler of claim 1 further comprising a handle grip attached to said handle frame.
5. The motion tackler of claim 1 further comprising a weight assembly.
6. The motion tackler of claim 5 wherein said weight assembly is attachable to said handle frame.
7. The motion tackler of claim 6 wherein said weight assembly is attachable to multiple locations on said handle frame.
8. The motion tackler of claim 1 wherein said resistance bar contacts ground when said dummy module is lifted by at least 3 inches.
9. A method for teaching tackling comprising:
- providing a motion tackler comprising: an elongated frame with a first side and a second side; a dummy module attached to said first side of said elongated frame; a handle frame attached to said second side of said elongated frame; a plurality of wheels attached to said elongated frame; and a resistance bar capable of engaging with ground upon said dummy module being lifted;
- grasping said handle frame of said motion tracker;
- moving said motion tracker along a path;
- releasing said motion tracker; and
- engaging a tackler to grasp said dummy module wherein upon said grasping said resistance bar contacts ground and provides resistance against movement of said motion tackler away from said tackler.
10. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 wherein said releasing is prior to said engaging a tackler.
11. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 wherein said motion tackler comprises forward wheels and rearward wheels.
12. The method for teaching tackling of claim 11 wherein said forward wheels are separated by a distance which is larger than a separation of said rearward wheels.
13. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 further comprising a handle grip attached to said handle frame.
14. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 further comprising a weight assembly.
15. The method for teaching tackling of claim 14 wherein said weight assembly is attachable to said handle frame.
16. The method for teaching tackling of claim 15 wherein said weight assembly is attachable to multiple locations on said handle frame.
17. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 wherein said resistance bar contacts ground when said dummy module is lifted by at least 3 inches.
18. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 wherein said tackler tilts said motion tackler to a side after said engaging.
19. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 comprising moving said motion tackler in a straight path.
20. The method for teaching tackling of claim 19 comprising moving said motion tackler towards said tackler.
21. The method for teaching tackling of claim 19 comprising moving said motion tackler at an angle relative to a path of said tackler.
22. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 comprising moving said motion tackler in a non-linear path.
23. The method for teaching tackling of claim 9 comprising moving said motion tackler in path including a non-linear path and a straight path.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 19, 2010
Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Patent Grant number: 8328664
Applicant: Rae Crowther Company (Rock Hill, SC)
Inventor: Harry W. Krause (Lake Wylie, SC)
Application Number: 12/950,320
International Classification: A63B 69/34 (20060101);